Top 10 economic events that made news in 2014

6. Property restrictions and mortgage conditions eased

The People's Bank of China eased property buying restrictions nationwide on Sept 30 for the first time in four years, amid a sharp downturn in real estate sales and investments.

Second-time home buyers can now make lower down payments and be given mortgage rates that were earlier only available to first-time home buyers, so long as they have paid off their first mortgage, the PBOC said. Third-home buyers were also offered easier mortgage conditions. The loosening mortgage policies spurred a property market recovery starting from the fourth quarter. Sales growth is now expected to turn positive from the second half of 2015, State lender Bank of China Ltd has predicted.